Sony is challenging Apple and Google with an internet “cloud-based” music streaming service that will be available on many of its networked consumer electronics products.
The MusicUnlimited service was announced at IFA, a major consumer electronics show in Berlin, barely an hour before Apple’s own music-themed press conference in California.
After the jump, the archive of our live coverage of the event.
5.15pm Berlin time - Sir Howard has been talking about his hopes for Google TV, but no new details on the autumn launch, now he’s moved onto forthcoming 3D film releases.
5.19pm We’re seeing a Ray modeller that can lead to 360-degree programming, quite impressive.
5.25pm The World Cup in 3D is next, impressive highlights, there will be a Blu-ray 3D disk of them out soon.
5.28pm Sony Music’s Lang Lang is giving us a live piano recital now on stage. as the screen behind him is in 3D and this is being broadcast in 3D, we’re getting double 3D vision here.
5.30pm We’re getting plenty of entertainment here, but not much information.
5.34pm Now we’re getting a video tour of the booth, again it’s all about 3D. Can we move on please? Oh, bit of an announcement – a 3D home projector. Wi-Fi a bit flakey here, by the way, apologies if there is any hiatus.
5.37pm 3D panoramas on still cameras, a Vaio 3D prototype laptop, should be out next Spring. Panasonic’s news conference before this one was all about 3D so forgive me finding this monotonous.
5.40pm 3D gaming on the PS3 demo (yawn)
5.43pm Now “the networked world of Sony”…could be interesting…
5.45pm Talking about Bravia connected TV and its growing content partners, more than 30 in Europe now. LoveFilm’s direct to TV application praised. Talking about Qriosity networked platform for content, which is alongside the PlayStation Network.
5.50pm Qriosity streaming video announced for Bravia TVs, when you rent a movie, you will have 14 days to watch. Demo of VOD on Qriosity. Pricing and content will be announce dlater. Interface different from PSN but not much.
5.52pm Music Unlimited by qriocity also announced. Cloud-based service for streaming tracks, initially available across Bravia networked TVs and Blu-ray players, PS3 and Vaios, increaisngly available on portable devices in the future.
5.54pm No other details, but there it is, as predicted by Tim Bradshaw’s FT scoop this morning, a cloud service similar to what Google is planning and what Apple may announce in a couple of hours.
5.58pm Now we’re looking at a consumer camcorder with an interchangeable lens – the most advanced video camera Sony has every made, Nice.
6pm Showing the new Reader models as per David Gelles’ story this morning. Better contrast and clarity. Storage and battery life better.
6.01pm ….and that’s it…not a lot of detail on new services but the hardware looks good, we’re being invited to tour the booth. Over to Apple!
